A Denmark In New York Message for 2021
Consul General Berit Basse on Denmark In New York’s vision for a hopeful new year
Dear Friends of Denmark In New York:
To say that 2020 was a challenging year would be a gross understatement. I still vividly remember the days last March when the world came to a standstill amid a devastating fear for the present and a creeping concern for the future. Now, nearly a year since the COVID pandemic first began, we can all say that we walk towards a more serene tomorrow on sturdier legs and with sounder minds. The challenges of 2020 may still be there in the background, but we can say with more assuredness that a rosier tomorrow lies ahead.
But while 2020 was a year of anxieties, economic shocks and unexpected pauses, it was also a year of resilience, solidarity, and perseverance. And at Denmark In New York, we confronted the lockdown in the same way that many of you did at your homes, respective offices and places of work: with creativity, flexibility, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This is why 2020 was also a year of success for Denmark In New York. In September, for example, we kicked off our Climate Storytelling Partnership with the Earth Institute at Columbia University, continuing in our commitment to spotlight critical conversations with leading experts and global players surrounding the climate crisis and our shared sustainable future.
Simultaneously, we also inaugurated our Future of Cities partnership with the New York Institute of Technology, exploring our evolving urban environments in the century to come with leading Danish and US stakeholders in the urban design and architectural spaces.
And, finally, we marked a resounding success with our ongoing Female Founders in Tech initiative, which seeks to bridge the gender gap in the tech world and connect brilliant Danish female founders to the thriving New York tech ecosystem. For our efforts, Denmark In New York picked up the Nordic Women in Tech Awards’ Initiative of the Year prize. A truly astounding feat!
With that said, it is with a sense of hope that we kick-off 2021 and look into the near future with expectation, determination, and, above all, positivity. At the same time, we’re also acutely aware that there’s a lot of work to be done. So, what can the Denmark In New York community expect from us in the coming months?
As we dive into the new year, we will be guided by an overall strategic focus on getting Danish exports and investments back on track, assisting them in recovering the lost ground while also gaining new market shares.
We will also continue our green and sustainable economic diplomacy through existing and new partnerships and tirelessly engage in the co-creation of solutions for the future which address the climate crisis and pave the way for a sustainable life for all.
At the same time, we are also expanding our Digital Design team with the hiring of a Digital Creative Advisor who will cater to the large amount of Danish digital companies seeking to export their products and services to the US market. The advisor will work to provide Danish gaming, animation and digital design companies with access, networks and insight into the US market through network activities and knowledge sharing. The digital visual industry is a very important part of the Danish business environment and is expanding rapidly, especially within the areas of television, advertising, interactive, games and film.
Finally, our Invest in Denmark strategy for North America will continue to have a clear-cut focus on high quality projects that maintain and develop Denmark’s position of strength as a leader on the green agenda. Interest in Danish fields of excellence continues to be strong as North American investors train their eye on Denmark’s exceptional life sciences’ cluster, tech excellence, and innovative climate solutions. In addition, we have also expanded our Cleantech team with the hiring of a new Investment Manager who will help us contribute to accelerating the green transition.
So there you have it. A growing Denmark In New York team and a busy agenda for a busy year brimming with hope, activity, and good things to come for our Denmark In New York community. I look forward to marking many more successes with you in the coming months and look forward to celebrating them together, both virtually and in-person, once we can.
Happy New Year to you all!
